WORD OF THE DAY un cappronounced: kahpa cape; figuratively, a threshold or turning point franchir un cap — to reach a milestone; to move into a new stage of life UN…DEUX…TROIS… By Jacqueline Espinasse If you went to kindergarten in France, chances are you played a game called Un, deux, trois, soleil ! All you need is a wall and a few friends. One child stands … Continue reading Un cap: Jackie’s Big News—and a French Childhood Game
LA MAÎTRESSE (may-tress) a female teacher, especially in preschool or primary school IS IT TEACHING OR BROADWAY? by Jacqueline Espinasse Last Friday, I turned twenty-nine. I never thought I’d get here, or more accurately, I never really thought about what it would mean to turn twenty-nine. As a little girl, a teenager, and even into my early twenties, I could only ever picture myself up to … Continue reading Maîtresse: When Teaching Feels Like Broadway
TODAY’S WORD: la rentrée : the return to school, work, and everyday life after the summer holidays PRONUNCIATION: lah rahn-TRAY EXAMPLE SENTENCE: La rentrée des classes est arrivée.The new school year has begun. LA RENTRÉE DES CLASSES by Jacqueline Espinasse For some odd reason, the month of September has always felt like new beginnings. Back when I was a little girl, it was the start of … Continue reading La Rentrée: It’s not just for kids!
Back at the vineyard in Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes, Max and I were in middle school. Once the hot days were over, Dad no longer needed our petites mains for the harvest and our petits pieds to crush grapes, and when we weren’t swimming in the river with Braise and Smokey, there wasn’t much left to do. So in winter, we spent our weekends and evenings playing a game on the computer. The goal was simple: make your character as powerful as possible. You started by creating a character, choosing its powers, name, gender, and colors. Continue reading Some People Build Roots. Others Wander. Can Fulfillment Be Simple?
Kristi here. It’s my daughter’s turn to write today so you’re sure to get a spicy update! Today’s special includes a little cabaret, some trendy press-on nails, and… another glowing spectacle outside Jackie and Vin’s apartment. Don’t miss a word! TODAY’S WORD: le quotidien : daily life; everyday routinePRONUNCIATION: [luh – koh – tee – dee – ahn] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Certains jours nous sortent du quotidien … Continue reading Quotidien: Breaking Out of Daily Life: From Broadway to the Pompiers—a Hot Show and a Fire!
A warm bonjour from sunny La Ciotat. A mini update before we begin reading our chapter du jour. Today is Ana’s 30th birthday: Joyeux anniversaire, chère Ana. Also, Jean-Marc and his sister are about to begin this year’s “carénage” (sanding and repainting of our old wooden boat). I’m about to head off to the gym after editing this post. Enjoy the pictures that accompany Jackie’s … Continue reading Pastis & Bagels: A Foot in Each World
TODAY’S WORD: cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne : this time it will work; this time’s the one PRONUNCIATION: set fwah see say la bun CETTE FOIS-CI, C’EST LA BONNE by Jacqueline Espinasse Here is a French saying you use when you’re convinced it will work this time—even if you’re a little delusional. Let me give you some examples. • You are trying to score at … Continue reading Doomscrolling in French & New and Better Habits
Before I begin today’s story—Jackie’s story—a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already ordered a copy of our newly released book. Seeing our mother-daughter stories gathered together in one place, along with your positive feedback, has been such a joy. With your help launching this colorful series—books teeming with photos and French—we will be able to reach readers who have yet to discover A … Continue reading Plouf! A Big Little Leak in My New City
Salut! Enjoy today’s story by my youngest, Jackie—and thank you, as always, for reading. I’ll be back next week with an exciting update from us both, something we’ve been working toward for a long time. Profitez de l’histoire d’aujourd’hui, écrite par ma benjamine, Jackie, et merci, comme toujours, de nous lire. Je serai de retour la semaine prochaine avec une belle nouvelle de notre part … Continue reading Strong Values & The Art of Having Fun in a Storm
Des histoires de Noël I had promised myself the evening before that I would attend church. But on Sunday morning, I found myself hesitant about going, as always. This time, though, it felt extra daunting because it was the annual Christmas pageant. I thought a pageant was un défilé. I associated it with glamour, because of the beauty pageants I grew up watching on television in … Continue reading Des Histoires de Noël: Christmas in New York
